KBF postpones some ties due to lack of venues
What you need to know:
- Thirteen second leg matches of Kenya Basketball Federation Premier and Division One leagues initially scheduled for Saturday in Nairobi have been called off due to unavailability of venues.
- KBF Fixtures Secretary Joseph Amoko on Friday said Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, Upper Hill School and Strathmore University will be unavailable, necessitating rescheduling of the matches to a later date.
Thirteen second leg matches of Kenya Basketball Federation Premier and Division One leagues initially scheduled for Saturday in Nairobi have been called off due to unavailability of venues.
KBF Fixtures Secretary Joseph Amoko on Friday said Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, Upper Hill School and Strathmore University will be unavailable, necessitating rescheduling of the matches to a later date.
However, Amoko said 12 second leg matches scheduled for Sunday will go on an interrupted at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium and Upper Hill School starting at 8.30am.
Top matches affected involve eight-time men’s Premier League champions Co-op Bank, who were set to take on newcomers Umoja at Nyayo starting at 2.30pm.
Coach George Mayienga’s rejuvenated two-time champions USIU-A Flames, who rocked Strathmore University 54-39 last weekend, were scheduled to entertain Eagle Wings on Saturday at 1pm.
On Sunday at Nyayo, women’s Premier League champions Equity Bank are expected to increase their points tally to 22 when they host bottom-placed Western Delight.
The return leg tie start at 10am. Equity Bank, who have had a break after beating Strathmore University 51-33, will need two key points to enhance their chances of snatching the league lead from Kenya Ports Authority.
Equity, who will be spearheaded by Samba Mjomba, Hilda Indasi, Mercy Wanyama and Susan Akinyi, are placed second with 20 points from nine wins and two loses.
KPA have kept the top position in the league with 24 points so far. KPA women, who demolished Co-op Bank 82-40 and again humiliated hosts Western Delight 53-37 last weekend in Mumias, have won all their 12 outings.
Western Delight have been winless in 10 outings and coach Donald Liru, who also doubles up as coach of Namboboto High School, faces a tall order as he chases his first victory with the team against the David Maina-coached Equity Bank.
Men’s champions KPA will be seeking to move to the fourth position when they take on KCA-U at 4pm. KPA lie sixth on the table of standings with 23 points. KPA beat Co-op Bank 67-63 and again clobbered Thunder 80-55 last weekend. Coach Anthony Ojukwu’s secret weapons, Evans Leting, Victor Bosire and Daniel Omondi are expected to call the shots for KPA.
Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCA-U), who were beaten 69-65 by USIU-A Tigers in their last match, are struggling in the 12-team championship where they lie eleventh with 16 points from 12 loses and two wins. Zetech University, who are finding the competition tough on their first attempt, will meet Lions from 2.30pm. Both teams are under pressure to qualify for the play-offs.
USIU-A Flames, who started the second leg strongly, will meet Eagle Wings while Storms have a date with Strathmore University.
At Upper Hill School on Sunday , women’s Division One league leaders Footprints will take on Masaku Sparks at 10am.
Footprints lead the table of standings with 25 points, while Masaku Sparks lie second with 22 points from 10 wins and two loses.
